Parallele de l'Architecture Antique et de la Moderne contenant les profils des plus beaux edifices de Rome, comparés avec les dix principaux autheurs Palladio et Scamozzi, Serlio et Vignole, D. Barbaro et Cataneo, L.B. Alberti et Viola, Bullant et de Lorme by Fréart, Roland, Sieur de Chambray - 1689

Paris: François Jollain, 1689. Hardcover. Very Good. Important second edition of this seminal architectural treatise from the French theorist, Fréart. From Baroque architecture author and scholar, Frédérique Lemerle: "The special feature of Jollain's edition compared with the original edition is that it is engraved (text and images), except for the first pages consisting of the preface and the title page. At the beginning of the preface Jollain specifies that he will organize his ideas in a different way than the author's, nevertheless keeping close to his sentiments and his expression. At the end he justifies taking liberty "shortening several things that Monsieur de Chambray had said in too many words" in order to "reduce the price of this book, by avoiding printing costs". On the other hand he allowed himself to add a pedestal for each order "by the best authors". Thus the folio edition published in 1689 is revised, abridged and enlarged version of the Parallèle. It is a manual on the orders for the use of practitioners and master-masons..." Folio, very good with contemporary mottled calf binding showing quite a bit of rubbing and wear, and is completely worn away at corners and spine ends. Complete and sound internally with minimal scattered foxing, though there is a small hole, perhaps insect damage, to the bottom corner of about 7 pages near the beginning. Does not affect any text or images. Formerly owned by J. Edwin Kopf, whose name is written in ink on the front pastedown, and dated 1927 in Paris. Kopf was a prominent architect in Indianapolis. A scarce and important edition of this work.